In tennis, a golden set is something that few will achieve, and most can only dream of. But what is a golden set in tennis? Keep reading to find out more.
You’ve undoubtedly heard the umpire call out ‘game, set, and match’ after a competitive game of tennis at some point, but do you know what this means? To those of you who are new to tennis or who are simply looking to learn more about the sport, learning the ins and outs of how the sport is played is much easier said than done.
When talking about tennis sets, a tennis player’s ultimate goal is to win what is known as a ‘golden set.’ But what is a golden set in tennis, and what can you do to improve your chances of securing one yourself?
Before we look at tennis golden sets, first, we need to understand the basics of how the sport of tennis is scored.
Understanding the Basics of Tennis Scoring
During a tennis match, players will take turns to serve the ball. A game of tennis consists of a succession of points during which the same player continues to serve.
In tennis, a player wins a game by securing four points, except when the score reaches ‘deuce,’ which is when the score is tied at 40-40. When a game is tied at deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win that game.
After a game, we have the ‘set.’ When a player is able to secure six-game victories and is at least two games clear of their opponent, they will then win a set. In the event of a set reaching 6 – 6, typically, a tiebreaker will be required.
Finally, we have the match itself, which describes the tennis contest. Matches usually consist of the best of five or three sets. The ‘game, set, and match’ call will be made when a player emerges victorious and has beaten their opponent.
What is a Golden Set in Tennis?
In sports, or in any part of life itself for that matter, when you hear the word ‘golden,’ that generally brings a smile to your face as it usually signifies something positive.
For tennis players, a golden set is no exception to this rule. As a tennis player, regardless of whether you’re having a few games with your friends on the weekend, you’re taking part in a local tournament for your local tennis club, or you’re a tennis pro in the final of Wimbledon, winning a golden set in tennis is a huge achievement. In fact, it is one of the rarest events in the sport.
If a player is able to achieve a golden set in tennis, they’ve been able to do what most other tennis players can only dream of. Okay, we’ve hyped it up enough now, so what the heck is a golden set in tennis?
Well, basically, when a player is able to secure every point in a set, they win a golden set. To achieve this, they will need to score the 24 minimum points required to win the set 6 – 0 without dropping a single point. Why 24 points? Well, because of the fact that you need to win 6 games, and in order to win a game, you must secure 4 points.
How Rare Are Golden Sets in Tennis?
In pro tennis at the highest levels, a golden set is extremely difficult to achieve because the level of competition is so fierce. It should come as no surprise to learn that a golden set in elite tennis, on a pro level, has been achieved just twice in history.
The very first tennis player to achieve this extraordinary feat was a player by the name of Bill Scanlon, who managed it back in 1983 at the Delray Beach WCT. This event took place in Delray Beach, Florida, and was held outdoors on clay courts. His opponent was no slouch either, as he faced Marcos Hosevar.
The second player in history to win a golden set in tennis was Yaroslava Shvedova back in 2012. Her golden set win was considered even more prestigious because it took place at a Grand Slam Tournament, at Wimbledon of all places, which many consider to be the most prestigious Grand Slam tournament of all. Shvedova faced Sara Errani of Italy.
Will we ever see another golden set in tennis? Perhaps, though don’t expect it to happen anytime soon, especially considering the fact that pro tennis matches are now so competitive.
What is a Golden Match in Tennis?
Okay, so we’ve looked at what a golden set in tennis is, but what about golden matches?
As you can probably guess, a golden match in tennis is when a player achieves the seemingly impossible and does not drop a single point during the entirety of a tennis match.
Since records began, there have been just five instances of this happening at low-level tennis events, with the very first one happening more than a century ago in 1910 and being won by Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman.
